Diane Rwigara, a prominent critic of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, has been excluded from next month’s presidential race.

The 42-year-old leader of the People Salvation Movement (PSM) expressed dismay at the decision, which she believes undermines the democratic process in Rwanda.

“I’m representing the vast majority of Rwandans who live in fear and are not allowed to be free in their own country,” Rwigara asserted.

She highlighted the disparity between Rwanda’s international image as a booming economy and the harsh realities faced by many citizens lacking basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.

The National Electoral Commission issued a provisional list of candidates, excluding Rwigara on grounds of insufficient documentation.

According to the commission, she failed to prove she had no criminal record and did not gather the required number of endorsements to qualify for the race.

“On the requirement for 600 signature endorsements, she did not provide at least 12 signatures from eight districts,” stated Oda Gasinzigwa, the commission’s chief.

Furthermore, the commission questioned Rwigara’s eligibility, citing her previous Belgian citizenship. Though she renounced it in 2017 in a bid to run for president, the commission raised doubts about her Rwandan birthright.

Rwigara, however, insists she was born in Rwanda and dismissed the commission’s claims as baseless. Despite her strong rebuttal, the commission’s decision stands, and it is too late for her to appeal.

This marks the second time she has been barred from running. Her 2017 attempt was thwarted amid accusations of forging supporter signatures, leading to her imprisonment for over a year on charges of inciting insurrection and forgery.

She was acquitted in 2018, maintaining that the charges were politically motivated.

Rwigara is not alone in facing such barriers. In March, a Rwandan court upheld a ban preventing opposition figure Victoire Ingabire from running in the presidential election.

Ingabire, who was released in 2018 after an eight-year imprisonment for threatening state security and belittling the 1994 genocide, remains ineligible to run due to a law barring individuals jailed for more than six months from candidacy.

The electoral commission received nine applications to stand for president, with only three candidates clearing the provisional list: Paul Kagame, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party, and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.

The final list will be announced next week Friday, following the consideration of any appeals lodged earlier in the process.

Kagame, who has been in power since 2000, is seeking his fourth term. Should he win, his presidency could extend to nearly three decades.

In the 2017 election, he secured a staggering 99% of the vote, a result that critics argue reflects an authoritarian grip on power rather than genuine popular support.

Kagame Accused of Human Rights Violations

Human rights groups have consistently criticized Kagame’s administration for suppressing opposition and stifling political freedoms.

Despite these accusations, Kagame staunchly defends Rwanda’s human rights record, asserting that the country respects political freedoms and that his leadership has brought stability and economic growth.

The electoral process in Rwanda continues to draw international scrutiny, particularly regarding the exclusion of opposition candidates like Rwigara and Ingabire.

As the final candidate list approaches, the spotlight remains on the political landscape in Rwanda and the challenges faced by those opposing the status quo.

Diane Rwigara took to X to voice her frustration directly at Kagame.

“Why won’t you let me run? This is the second time you [have] cheat[ed] me out of my right to campaign,” she posted, highlighting the ongoing struggle for political participation in Rwanda.

With the presidential election imminent, the barring of opposition candidates raises questions about the future of democracy in Rwanda and the extent to which true political freedom can be realized in the country.